the fact of the matter is that the taliban control a significant part of the country. even after the so-called mini surge that was orchestrated by general petraeus and general mcchrystal. the fact of the matter is that president karzai is very unpopular. and the fact of the matter is that geographically a central government in kabul can never really control the vast majority of that country, including the areas most closer to pakistan. >> ambassador, i was struck by the last question that the president was asked at his joint press conference about afghan women. and in response, he said, in part, the afghan constitution protects the rights of afghan women and the u.s. strongly believes that afghanistan cannot succeed unless it gives opportunity to its women. what is the reality right now for women and girls in afghanistan? and what is the reality likely to be for women and girls after the u.s. troop presence is withdrawn? >> in the major cities in kabul, obviously, it's been a huge renaissance of women's rights and across the country and the u.s. military empowered youn